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Francisco Guilledo
Filipino boxer

Francisco Guilledo

The basics

Quick Facts

Intro
Filipino boxer
Work field
Gender
Male
Place of birth
Iloilo, Western Visayas, Philippines
Place of death
San Francisco, San Francisco County, California, U.S.A.
Age
23 years
Stats
Height:
154
Weight:
51
The details (from wikipedia)

Biography

Francisco Guilledo (August 1, 1901 – July 14, 1925), more commonly known as Pancho Villa, was a Filipino professional boxer. Villa, who stood only 5 feet and 1 inch (154 cm) tall and never weighed more than 114 pounds (51 kg), despite the racial discrimination of that time, rose from obscurity to become the first Asian to win the World Flyweight Championship in 1923, earning the reputation in some quarters as one of the greatest Flyweight boxers in history. He was never knocked out in his entire boxing career, which ended with his sudden death at only twenty-three from complications following a tooth extraction.

Early life and Philippine boxing career

Guilledo was born in Ilog, Negros Occidental, the son of a cowhand who abandoned his family when Guilledo was just six months old. He grew up in the hacienda of a wealthy local, helping his mother raise goats she tended on the farm.

When Guilledo was 11, he sailed to Iloilo City to work as a bootblack. While in Iloilo, he befriended a local boxer and together they migrated to Manila, settling in Tondo. He would occasionally spar with friends and soon attracted the attention of local boxing habitués. He fought his first professional fight in 1919 against Alberto Castro. Within two years, he was the Philippine Flyweight Champion, having dethroned Terio Pandong. He nearly gave up boxing after being spurned by a woman he courted, actually returning to Negros early in 1922 to retire. The clamor of Filipino boxing fans compelled him to return to the ring.

It appears that during this period, Guilledo was under the tutelage of at least two important local boxing figures. One was the American boxing promoter based in Manila, Frank E. Churchill. Another was a Filipino ice plant executive and boxing manager named Paquito Villa. The renaming of Francisco Guilledo to Pancho Villa has been attributed to both men, depending on the source. One version tags Churchill as having renamed Guilledo into Villa, taking the name from the Mexican guerrilla leader. Another version maintains that Paquito Villa had legally adopted Guilledo as early as 1918, renaming him Pancho.

Not long before coming to America, he met future American World Junior Lightweight Champion Mike Ballerino nine times in Manila between January 1920, and October 1921 defeating him in six bouts. Ballerino would also be managed by Frank Churchill after coming to America.

World Flyweight Champion

Pancho Villa (left) vs. Jimmy Wilde (right)

In May, 1922, Villa received an invitation from famed boxing promoter Tex Rickard to fight in the United States. He accepted the invitation and sailed to America together with Churchill and Paquito Villa. Upon arrival he was set up with a very young but talented sparring partner in Enrique Chaffardet and immediately won his first overseas fight against Abe Goldstein in Jersey City on June 7, 1922. He then fought and defeated by Frankie Genaro on August 22, 1922. By this time, Villa had caught the attention of boxing aficionados and he was slated to fight against the American Flyweight Champion Johnny Buff on September 15, 1922.

Villa defeated Buff in an upset, knocking out the champion in the 11th round to win the American Flyweight Championship. At this point, Villa had been in the American phase of his career for only 4 months. Villa lost the title early the following year to Genaro, who defeated the Filipino on points in a widely criticized decision. The unpopularity of Villa's defeat on points proved fateful. Jimmy Wilde, the Welsh-born boxer and former World Flyweight Champion, had decided to end his recent retirement and seek the then vacant World Flyweight Championship in a fight to be staged in America. While Genaro, the American Champion, seemed as the logical choice to fight Wilde, Villa's growing popularity soon convinced promoters that the Filipino would prove as the better draw.

In what were described in that era as "pre-battle statements," the 31-year-old Wilde said: ~"I appreciate the fact that in Villa, I am going to meet one of the toughest little men in boxing. I appreciate the fact that I am going to be put to a real test, and that is what I have prepared for." In comments that summed up his fighting style, Villa said: ~"I am in condition and once in condition, my worries are over. I do not intend to give Wilde a minute's rest while we are in the ring."

Villa did not disappoint the ever pleasing crowd. On June 18, 1923, at the Polo Grounds in New York City, Villa was cheered on to victory over Wilde by over more than 20,000 of fans screaming "Viva Villa!" The win came by way of a knockout in the 7th round, caused by a crashing right to Wilde's jaw. Villa was described as relentless, pummeling Wilde with both hands and causing the Welshman to also drop in the fourth and fifth rounds. Wilde never fought again.

His wife Gliceria (née Concepcion) who was left in Manila, asked by the media outfits for reaction had this to say: "You cannot imagine the happiness I felt upon receiving the first notices of the victory of my husband. I cried not because of pain but emotion. I was hoping for his triumph."

Former President General Emilio Aguinaldo, voicing the sentiment of the entire nation said: "Congratulations, Pancho, Come back to us and defend your title here."

A hero's welcome greeted Pancho when he disembarked from the "SS President Grant," the same luxury liner that brought him to the United States on April 2, 1922 to launch his campaign in the land of promise.

A reception at the Malacanan Palace hosted by then President Manuel Quezon followed a massive parade from the airport passing through Manila's major streets where thousands greeted the returning sports hero.

The new World Flyweight Champion successfully defended his title several times and never relinquished it until his death just two years later. Villa returned to a hero's welcome in Manila in September 1924, feted with a parade and a reception at Malacañan Palace. He also returned to his old haunts in Iloilo and his hometown in Negros Occidental. Before returning to the United States, he fought one more bout in Manila, against Clever Sencio, on May 2, 1925. Villa prevailed. None of the thousands of fans who saw that fight at Wallace Field knew that they had just witnessed Villa's final victory and the second to the last fight of his life.

Death

Villa returned to the United States to prepare for his next match, a non-title fight against Jimmy McLarnin scheduled for July 4, 1925, at Ewing Field in San Francisco. In the days leading to the fight, Villa's face became swollen due to an ulcerated tooth. According to contemporary newspaper accounts, on the morning of the fight, Villa went to a dentist to have the tooth extracted. Despite the pain and swelling, Villa insisted on going ahead with the fight with McLarnin. Villa ended up spending most of the fight using one hand to protect his afflicted face. Given these circumstances, Villa naturally lost, though he managed to stay the distance. It was to be Villa's last fight.

Two or three days after the McLarnin fight, he had three more teeth extracted after an infection was discovered. Against his dentist's prescription of bed rest, Villa spent the next few days carousing with friends. His condition worsened, and by July 13, 1925, he had to be rushed to the hospital. It was discovered that the infection had spread to his throat, resulting in Ludwig's angina. Villa was rushed into surgery, but he lapsed into a coma while on the table and died the following day, July 14, 1925. Tragically, his death occurred only 17 days before he would have become 24 years old.

His remains were returned to Manila, and in August 1925, he was buried at Manila North Cemetery.

Family

His younger half-brother, Eulogio Villaruel Tingson also known as "Little Pancho", was a professional boxer who compiled a record of 103(19 KO)–18–26 with 1 No Contest.

Honors

In October 1961, Villa was added by Ring Magazine to its own boxing hall of fame. He was inducted belatedly into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1994, the second Filipino boxer so honored after Gabriel "Flash" Elorde, who was born seven years after Villa's death.

Villa was ranked the 59th best fighter by Ring Magazine in 2002 in a list of the 80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years.

He was voted as the #1 flyweight (along with Miguel Canto) of the 20th century by the Associated Press in 1999.

Professional boxing record

89 Wins (22 knockouts, 67 decisions), 8 Losses (0 knockout, 8 decisions),4 Draws,2 No Decision
Newspaper Decision (13 Wins, 4 Losses, 0 Draws)Notes
Res.RecordOpponentTypeRd., TimeDateLocationNotes
Loss89-8-4-2Canada Jimmy McLarninPTS101925-07-04United States Oaks Ballpark, Emeryville, California
Win89-7-4-2Philippines Clever SencioUD151925-05-02Philippines Wallace Field, Metro ManilaWorld Flyweight Title
Win88-7-4-2Philippines Francisco PilapilKO8(15)1925-03-09Philippines Iloilo City, Iloilo
Win87-7-4-2United States Amos"kid"CarlinPTS151924-08-18United States Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana
Win86-7-4-2United States Frankie MurrayNWS81924-07-28United States Bacharach Ball Park, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Win85-7-4-2United Kingdom Willie WoodsPTS101924-07-21United States Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts
Win84-7-4-2United States Henry CatenaKO5(12)1924-07-02United States Playgrounds Stadium, West New York, New Jersey
Win83-7-4-2United States Bud TaylorPTS121924-06-10United States Henderson's Bowl, Brooklyn, New York
Win82-7-4-2United Kingdom Frankie AshUD151924-05-30United States Henderson's Bowl Brooklyn, New YorkWorld Flyweight Title
Draw81-7-4-2United States Eddie McKennaPTS101924-04-23United States Milwaukee Auditorium, Public Hall Cleveland, Ohio
Win81-7-3-2United States Billy BonillasNWS41924-03-22United States10th Street Arena, Modesto California
Win80-7-3-2United States Georgie LeeNWS41924-03-21United StatesL-st Arena Sacramento, California
Loss79-7-3-2United States Bud TaylorNWS121924-03-06United States Auditorium Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Win79-6-3-2United States George MarksUD151924-02-08United States Madison Square Garden, New York
Win78-6-3-2United States Mike MoranUD101924-01-21United States Motor Square Garden, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Win77-6-3-2United States Tony NormanPTS101924-01-01United States Motor Square Garden, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Win76-6-3-2United States Pasty WallacePTS101923-12-10United States Arena Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win75-6-3-2Canada Donnie MackKO4(10)1923-12-05Canada Coliseum Toronto, Ontario
Win74-6-3-2United States Joey SchwartzNWS101923-11-19United States Detroit Michigan
Win73-6-3-2United States Jabez WhiteNWS81923-10-22United States Arena Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win72-6-3-2United States Benny SchwartzPTS151923-10-12United States 5th Regiment Armory, Baltimore, MarylandWorld Flyweight Title
Win71-6-3-2United States Tony ThomasPTS101923-09-24United States Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts
Win70-6-3-2United States Bud TaylorNWS101923-09-08United States Hawthorne Race Course, Chicago, Illinois
Win69-6-3-2United States Jackie FeldmanKO3(10)1923-08-22United States Velodrome, New York New York City
Win68-6-3-2United States Kid WilliamsNWS81923-07-31United States Shetzline Ballpark, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win67-6-3-2United States Abe FriedmanPTS101925-07-20United States Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts
Win66-6-3-2United Kingdom Jimmy WildeKO7(20)1923-06-18United States Polo Grounds, New York New York CityWon vacant World Flyweight Title
Loss65-6-3-2United States Bobby WolgastNWS81923-05-24United States Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win65-5-3-2United States Battling Al MurrayNWS101923-05-11United States Dexter Park Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois
Win64-5-3-2United States Clarence RosenNWS101923-04-23United States Detroit, Michigan
Win63-5-3-2United States Willie DarcyPTS121923-03-24United States State Armory, Waterbury, Connecticut
Win62-5-3-2United States Young MontrealNWS81923-03-19United States Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Loss61-5-3-2United States Frankie GenaroSD151923-03-01United States Madison Square Garden, New YorkLost American Flyweight Title
Win61-4-3-2United States Henry "Kid" WolfeKO3(8)1923-02-20United States Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win60-4-3-2United States Frankie MasonKO5(10)1923-02-13United States Mechanics Building, Boston, MassachusettsAmerican Flyweight Title
Win59-4-3-2United States Battling Al MurrayNWS81923-01-01United States Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win58-4-3-2United States Terry MartinUD151922-12-29United States Madison Square Garden, New YorkAmerican Flyweight Title
Win57-4-3-2United States Young MontrealUD151922-11-27United States Arena, Boston, Massachusetts
Win56-4-3-2United States Abe GoldsteinUD151922-11-16United States Madison Square Garden, New YorkAmerican Flyweight Title
Win55-4-3-2United States Pasty WallaceNWS81922-10-30United States Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win54-4-3-2United States Danny EdwardsPTS101922-10-23United States Arena, Boston, Massachusetts
Win53-4-3-2United States Johnny BuffTKO11(12), 0:271922-09-14United States Ebbet's Field, Brooklyn, New YorkWon American Flyweight Title
Loss52-4-3-2United States Frankie GenaroPTS101922-08-22United States Ebbet's Field, Brooklyn, New York
Win52-3-3-2United States Sammy CohenPTS81922-08-15United States Ebbet's Field, Brooklyn, New York
Win51-3-3-2United States Johnny HepburnPTS61922-08-02United States Ebbet's Field, Brooklyn, New York
Win50-3-3-2United States Terry MillerNWS121922-07-27United States Asbury Park, New Jersey
Win49-3-3-2United States Frankie MurrayPTS81922-07-19United StatesMargolies A.C., Averne, Queens, New York
Loss48-3-3-2United States Frankie GenaroPTS81922-07-06United States Jersey City, New Jersey
Loss48-2-3-2United States Abe GoldsteinNWS121922-06-07United States Oakland A.A., Jersey City, New Jersey
Win48-1-3-2Philippines Pete SarmientoPTS151922-04-01Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
Win47-1-3-2Philippines Max MasonPTS151922-03-19Philippines Iloilo City, Iloilo
Win46-1-3-2United States Georgie LeePTS151922-02-12Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
Win45-1-3-2Philippines Kid AbayanPTS81922-01-12Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
Win44-1-3-2Philippines Battling OngayKO1(?)1921-12-29Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
Win43-1-3-2Australia Jimmy TaylorPTS81921-12-15Philippines Ground Opera House, Manila, Metro Manila
Win42-1-3-2Australia George MendiesKO3(10)1921-12-08Philippines Olympic Stadium, Manila, Metro Manila
Win41-1-3-2Philippines Kid GarciaPTS81921-11-17Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
Win40-1-3-2Philippines Kid AguilaPTS81921-11-10Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
Win39-1-3-2Philippines Kid AguilaPTS81921-10-19Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
Win38-1-3-2United States Mike BallerinoPTS201921-08-23Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
Win37-1-3-2Philippines Leoncio BernabePTS201921-09-21Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
Win36-1-3-2Australia Syd KeenanPTS81921-09-07Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
Win35-1-3-2Philippines Cowboy ReyesPTS81921-09-03Philippines Manila, Metro ManilaOrient bantamweight title
Win34-1-3-2United States Mike BallerinoPTS201921-08-23Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
Loss33-1-3-2United States Eddie MooreDQ101921-08-09Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
Draw33-0-3-2United States Mike BallerinoPTS151921-07-25Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
Win33-0-2-2Philippines Young ModejarPTS61921-07-11Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
Draw32-0-2-2Philippines Leoncio BernabePTS61921-06-20Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
Win32-0-1-2Philippines Pete AlbertoPTS61921-06-06Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
Win31-0-1-2Philippines Knockout LewisKO4(?)1921-05-22Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
Win30-0-1-2Philippines Stiff IrineoKO2(?)1921-04-24Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
Win29-0-1-2Philippines Kid GarciaPTS81921-04-10Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
Win28-0-1-2Philippines Valentin SantosKO7(?)1921-03-26Philippines Olympic Stadium, Manila, Metro Manila
Win27-0-1-2United States Mike BallerinoPTS101921-03-05Philippines Olympic Stadium, Manila, Metro Manila
Win26-0-1-2Philippines Terio PandongPTS81921-02-21Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
Win25-0-1-2Philippines Kid MoroKO3(?)1921-02-07Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
Win24-0-1-2Philippines Sailor Johnny CandelariaKO3(?)1921-01-23Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
Draw23-0-1-2United States Mike BallerinoPTS151921-01-10Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
Win23-0-0-2Philippines Stiff IrineoPTS61920-07-10Philippines Manila, Metro ManilaPrecise date unknown at this time.
Win22-0-0-2Philippines Kid CortezPTS61920-06-10Philippines Manila, Metro ManilaPrecise date unknown at this time.
Win21-0-0-2Philippines Sailor Johnny CandelariaPTS61920-05-10Philippines Manila, Metro ManilaPrecise date unknown at this time.
Win20-0-0-2United States Mike BallerinoPTS61920-04-10Philippines Manila, Metro ManilaPrecise date unknown at this time.
NC19-0-0-2United States Mike BallerinoND61920-03-25Philippines Manila, Metro ManilaPrecise date unknown at this time.
Win19-0-0-1United States Mike BallerinoPTS61920-03-10Philippines Manila, Metro ManilaPrecise date unknown at this time.
NC18-0-0-1United States Mike BallerinoND61920-02-25Philippines Manila, Metro ManilaPrecise date unknown at this time.
Win18-0-0Philippines Jose de la CruzPTS61920-02-10Philippines Manila, Metro ManilaPrecise date unknown at this time.
Win17-0-0Philippines Pedro CapitanKO41920-01-01Philippines Manila, Metro ManilaPrecise date unknown at this time.
Win16-0-0Philippines Baguio BearcatPTS41919-11-10Philippines Manila, Metro ManilaPrecise date unknown at this time.
Win15-0-0Philippines Baguio BearcatPTS41919-10-10Philippines Manila, Metro ManilaPrecise date unknown at this time.
Win14-0-0Philippines Pedro OlongapoPTS41919-09-10Philippines Olympic Stadium, Manila, Metro ManilaPrecise date unknown at this time.
Win13-0-0Philippines Jose de la CruzPTS41919-08-10Philippines Manila, Metro ManilaPrecise date unknown at this time.
Win12-0-0Philippines Kid ElinoPTS41919-07-10Philippines Manila, Metro ManilaPrecise date unknown at this time.
Win11-0-0Philippines Young DuartePTS41919-06-10Philippines Manila, Metro ManilaPrecise date unknown at this time.
Win10-0-0Philippines Young EduardsPTS41919-05-10Philippines Manila, Metro ManilaPrecise date unknown at this time.
Win9-0-0Philippines Jose MendozaKO2(?)1919-05-01Philippines Manila, Metro ManilaPrecise date unknown at this time.
Win8-0-0Philippines Pete AlbertoPTS41919-04-10Philippines Manila, Metro ManilaPrecise date unknown at this time.
Win7-0-0Philippines Kid MoroKO2(?)1919-04-01Philippines Manila, Metro ManilaPrecise date unknown at this time.
Win6-0-0Philippines Kid CortezKO2(?)1919-03-10Philippines Manila, Metro ManilaPrecise date unknown at this time.
Win5-0-0Philippines Jaime DesiderioKO2(?)1919-03-01Philippines Olympic Stadium, Manila, Metro ManilaPrecise date unknown at this time.
Win4-0-0Philippines Terio PandongPTS41919-02-10Philippines Manila, Metro ManilaPrecise date unknown at this time.
Win3-0-0Philippines Ceasareo SiguionKO2(?)1919-02-01Philippines Palomar Pavilion, Manila, Metro ManilaPrecise date unknown at this time.
Win2-0-0Philippines Kid CastroPTS51919-01-10Philippines Manila, Metro ManilaPrecise date unknown at this time.
Win1-0-0Philippines Alberto CastroKO3(?)1919-01-01Philippines Manila, Metro ManilaPrecise date unknown at this time.
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